ACCLIMATISATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 402, 7 October 1911, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION.

MEETING AT HAMILTON. A meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was held in the Council Chambers, Hamilton, kindly lent by the Mayor for the occasion on September 29th. There were present on behalf of the Auckland Society the j president (Lieut.-Col. Hazard), Messrs Noakes, Grayson, Gillet, and the secretary; also Messrs J as. Kernick (Thames G.P.S.), F. P. Moorhouse (King Country Acclimatisation Society), Jas. Elliott Huntly Rod ana Gun Club), R. Gwynne (Te Aroha Rod and Gun Club), S. Harker (Hamilton Rod and Gun Club), W. H. Paul (Ohinernuri Acclimatisation Society), Quick (Waihi Rod and Gun Club), and a number of other members from H untly and elsewhere. The president heartily welcomed the delegates, reviewing the decision to hold country meetings such as the present, and reminded those present of the purpose for which the last had been called, which was primarily to resist the attempt made by the socalled "Waikato Society" to deprive the Auckland Society of most of its territory. They would be pleased to hear that himself and Capt. Elliot had, when in Wellington at the N.Z.A.SA.. Conference, interviewed the Minister for Internal Affairs, who had granted the Commission which the Auckland Society had asked for, to enquire into the whole matter. It might take place in about a fortnight, and would sit first in Auckland, wherever else it might afterwards do so. As regarded fish, anglerg would be pleased to hear that the society had obtained 10,000 fantinallis ova and 100,000 brown trout ova, as well as the usual abundant supply of rainbow, for general distribution; and the Fish Committee wou'd meet next week to allocate the resulting fry and yearlings. The society had this year been able to liberate a very considerable number of pheasants through the medium of the local societies and clubs whose representatives were here present, and the fine condition of these birds was an amp'e refutation of the calumnies spread last year by Mr Whitney. The president then referred to the relations which existed between the clubs and the country societies working with it, of which the representatives were preent. This had hitherto been simply the bend of a common cause and mutual assistance but was without any proper affiliation such as might make the country societies and clubs intergal parts of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society with definite rights in regard to the latter. With a view to better the present State of things, the council of the A.A.S. had drafted a set of model rules which might be adupted by the smaller bodies; also ten which were to be a part of the parent society constitution. He hoped they woud consider these rule, and amend them where it might seem desirable before adoption, because without some such definite understanding the clubs were not in a just position, whereas they ought to be actual parts of the society by absolute right, with recognised claims upon it which the society must fulfil.

The proposed rules, so far as the first ten were concerned, were then read over, certain amendments made, and were unanimously adopted by the meeting, Mr Gwynne moving that they be at once submitted to the clubs with a recommendation for thMr adoption. The latter, so far as the first ten were concerned, were adopted there and then, on the motion of Mr Moorehouse seconded by Mr Kernick. Attached to the rules were an application form for registration as pare of the society and a charter. These were also amended and adopted.

On the president calling for any other business the meeting reverted to the matter of the commision. An effort would be made, if this was to take evidence in different centres, to have sittings at Hamilton and Thames as well as in Auckland. The president pointed out that was eminently necessary each club or society should send in the names of all such witnesses as might be in a position to give valuable evidence to the society at once. It would be advisable to obtain witnesses from Kawhia, Awakino, Waitomo and elsewhere, as well as from each club, say ona witness from each place. This was moved by Mr Gwynna and seconded by Mr Moorehouse and carried.

Mr Grayson pointed out that the Waikato society had stated that the Auckland Society had not done its duty. What was wanted was that evidence should be forthcoming that jt had done so. Mr supported this and asked that full returns,of fish, birds and financial assistance supplied to the club might be at once sent to each, —Agreed to. With the list of witnesses there should be sent a note of what evidence each can give. Mr Moorehouse asked how the conference of the N.Z.A.S.A. had treated the remit of the Auckland Society as to the adoption of the universal game licenses, to which the president replied that we had not one supporter, and the proposition was simply howled down. Mr Kenrick moved that the present conference of delegates affirm the principle of a 20s general license both for imported and native game. Seconded by Mr Moorehouse and carried.

The president explained what was in contemplation as to the season's work at the hatchery, where it was proposed to rear 500 or 600 birds. It was also expected that several sittings of eggs would be available as free gifts to the clubs, who, if tnny could find interested parties to have them sat, and reared the chicks, would thus be doing a great piece ot" pheasantry work, and practically making that many more hon. rangers, who would see that the birds so reared were not wantonly destroyed. Mr Grayson re marked that upon review of what the Auckland body had done, it would be seen that it had accomplished much more than any other society.

Mr Moorehouse promptly donated two guineas towards the expense of the pheasantry amid the thanks of the president and rounds of applause.

In the matter of grants for ranging Mr Moorehouse suggested that those interested in each districts subscribe; the Auckland Society could then give a £1 for £1 subsidy upon this. He would put it in writing, and moved it be a suggestion for the next meeting to consider. Mr Kenrich proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Auckland Acclimatisation Society for its efforts, by such meetings as the present, to get into touch and accord with the country societies. Mr Gwynne, in seconding, coupled with this the thanks of the meeting to the president, which was carried with much applause. The president, in thanking the meeting, moved that a vote of thanks be passed to the Hamilton Borough Council for the use of their room, which was seconded by Mr Elliot, and unanimously carried. The president then invited all present; to a supper at the Royal Cafe at once, when the meeting closed with the best of good feeliner on the part of all concerned.

William Webster, the American citizen on behalf of whos n heirs the United States has been making claims upon the Government of New Zealand, had a very unrepublican ambition to establish a kingdom of his own. Some time before the British annexation in 1840 he acquired of the Maoris all the country around the site of the present city of Auckland, and styled himself "King of Waioui." When the English came and "dethroned him" he claimed .£500,000 by way of compensation, and it is this claim which has recently been revived. Shortly before Webster's time another adventurer named De Thierry, attempted to found a dynasty. He gathered an army of a hundred ruffians in Sydney, and "landed in New Zealand, annexing it to himself and proclaiming himself "King of New Zealand." Lack of money wherewith to pay his followers spoiled the project, and De Thierry's reign was of very brief duration.